Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 19 March 2020 (request for a preliminary ruling from the Sofiyski gradski sad — Bulgaria) — Komisia za protivodeystvie na koruptsiyata i za otnemane na nezakonno pridobitoto imushtestvo v BP, AB, PB, ‘Тrast B’ ООD, ‘Agro In 2001’ EOOD, ‘ACounT Service 2009’ EOOD, ‘Invest Management’ OOD, ‘Estate’ OOD, ‘Bromak’ OOD, ‘Bromak Finance’ EAD, ‘Viva Telekom Bulgaria’ EOOD, ‘Balgarska Telekomunikationna Kompania’ AD, ‘Hedge Investment Bulgaria’ AD, ‘Kemira’ OOD, ‘Dunarit’ AD, ‘Technologichen Zentar-Institut Po Mikroelektronika’ AD, ‘Еvrobild 2003’ EOOD, ‘Тechnotel Invest’ AD, ‘Ken Trade’ EAD, ‘Konsult Av’ EOOD, Louvrier Investments Company 33 SA, EFV International Financial Ventures Ltd, Interv Investment SARL, LIC Telecommunications SARL, V Telecom Investment SCA, V2 Investment SARL, Empreno Ventures Ltd

(Case C-234/18) (1)

(Reference for a preliminary ruling - Judicial cooperation in criminal matters - Proceedings for the confiscation of illegally obtained assets in the absence of a criminal conviction - Directive 2014/42/EU - Scope - Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA)

(2020/C 222/06)

Language of the case: Bulgarian

Referring court

Sofiyski gradski sad

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Komisia za protivodeystvie na koruptsiyata i za otnemane na nezakonno pridobitoto imushtestvo

Defendants: BP, AB, PB, ‘Тrast B’ ООD, ‘Agro In 2001’ EOOD, ‘ACounT Service 2009’ EOOD, ‘Invest Management’ OOD, ‘Estate’ OOD, ‘Bromak’ OOD, ‘Bromak Finance’ EAD, ‘Viva Telekom Bulgaria’ EOOD, ‘Balgarska Telekomunikationna Kompania’ AD, ‘Hedge Investment Bulgaria’ AD, ‘Kemira’ OOD, ‘Dunarit’ AD, ‘Technologichen Zentar-Institut Po Mikroelektronika’ AD, ‘Еvrobild 2003’ EOOD, ‘Тechnotel Invest’ AD, ‘Ken Trade’ EAD, ‘Konsult Av’ EOOD, Louvrier Investments Company 33 SA, EFV International Financial Ventures Ltd, Interv Investment SARL, LIC Telecommunications SARL, V Telecom Investment SCA, V2 Investment SARL, Empreno Ventures Ltd

Other party to the proceedings: Corporate Commercial Bank, in liquidation

Operative part of the judgment

Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA, of 24 February 2005 on Confiscation of Crime-Related Proceeds, Instrumentalities and Property, must be interpreted as not precluding legislation of a Member State which provides that the confiscation of illegally obtained assets is ordered by a national court following proceedings which are not subject either to a finding of a criminal offence or, a fortiori, the conviction of the persons accused of committing such an offence.

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(1)  OJ C 240, 9.7.2018.